Enhanced user management as Safe4 version 6.03 is released

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The release of Safe4 version 6.03 sees an upgrade in the way that vault users can be managed. It is now possible for vault users to be given specific permission to issue invitations to those with whom they wish to share their own vault. Hitherto the issuing of user invitations has been restricted to provider users. This enhanced user management will support the implementation of Safe4 in a number of particular application scenarios, principally in situations where a vault user wishes to share their inheritance vault or life vault with a member of the family, for example.

As before, the ability to alter permission settings on folders and user accounts remains under the control of provider users. Invitations issued by vault users will carry by default a read-only security group setting, thus preventing any potentially unwanted addition or removal of documents or data in the vault by the invited user.

Safe4 version 6.03 also incorporates a number of server-side enhancements to security and performance, to ensure that the system remains among the safest and most reliable on the internet.

Please contact us if you would like more detail on this release, or for general information on how the implementation of Safe4 can bring benefits to your business.

Enhanced 2-Factor Authentication from Safe4

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In line with the Safe4 policy of constantly enhancing security, as well as maintaining compliance with the recommendations of the UK National Cyber Security Centre, the latest release of Safe4, version 6.02, features 2-Factor Authentication using 7-digit codes sent to the user’s mobile device by text message. This enhanced 2-Factor Authentication from Safe4 (2FA) replaces the PIN, which has been a feature of the system since inception in 2010. The advice from the NCSC is summarised here.

Safe4 users with a PIN on their account will be prompted to enter a mobile phone number to which authentication codes will be sent. Once this has been done, they will be challenged to enter the code when logging in. The authentication code will have a life of 24 hours. When this period has elapsed a new code will be sent to the user’s mobile device on the next login.

Flexible options for applying 2-Factor Authentication

The use of 2FA can be enforced by a provider administrator, or can be selected optionally by each user in their own personal settings. In either case the registration of the mobile phone number will be followed immediately by the sending of an authentication code that must be entered before access is gained to the system.

The mobile phone number that is registered is held in the user’s My Account settings, to which entry will be controlled by a further 2FA code challenge. This will prevent a user’s settings being altered without authority. If a user changes their mobile phone number for any reason, the provider administrator will be able to require the user to reset 2FA with a different phone number.

Other enhancements in version 6.02

As always, version 6.02 of Safe4 includes a number of server-based security updates that relate to the way that data is held and managed on our servers. It is our policy not to publish details of these changes.

A further change in version 6.02 relates to the way in which folders are displayed. Folders and subfolders will be shown in the right-hand pane of the screen, together with any files that are stored in that folder. This is the first step towards more flexible management of folders.

Additionally, version 6.02 will allow the selection of which users will receive notification of file uploads. This will involve a further option in the Upload Files dialog box.

The Safe4 User Guides have been updated to reflect these changes.

For more information on how Safe4 can help your organisation to reduce cost, enhance client service and improve security and compliance, please contact us. We will be delighted to assist you.

Password strength requirements for Safe4 are being increased

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Cyber crime, identity theft and online fraud are becoming more frequent. It is known that there are large organisations, some of whom are state-backed, whose sole purpose is to disrupt the lawful activities on which much of our normal economic life is based. Recent ransomware attacks, as well as the ever-increasing use of spam email, are evidence of the scale of the threat. For this reason, the password strength requirements for the Safe4 system are being increased.

Safe4 works very closely with a number of public-sector organisations for whom security is paramount. Acting on the advice of the UK National Cyber Security Centre, part of GCHQ, the password requirements for Safe4 are being changed to incorporate a minimum length of 10 characters and a maximum of 150 characters. As before, each password will have to contain an upper and lower case alpha character, a number, and a symbol such as a punctuation mark. Passwords will accommodate spaces as well as normal characters, thus allowing the use of pass-phrases as well as basic passwords. The advice of the NCSC is that passwords up to 8 characters can now be cracked by brute-force attack methods in a few minutes, whereas those with 10 or more characters are unlikely to be cracked in meaningful time.

Password strength matters

Choosing a new password is increasingly challenging, hence the ability to use a pass-phrase for Safe4. This can be a favourite piece of text, such as line from a book or song, which will generally be easier to remember than a shorter password containing an obtuse string of characters. The longer the password, the more difficult for criminals to crack it. A random sequence of words that are easily remembered will have the same effect.

An additional feature that Safe4 have incorporated in this release is a warning message if the password chosen by a user has already been compromised on another site. This does not prevent the selection of that password, but the user is warned of the potential risk.

Following the release of Safe4 version 6.01, scheduled for 25 May 2019, new users will be invited to create accounts using the updated password strength requirements. The new rules will also be applied to password changes and to resets.

2-Factor Authentication by Text Message

At present, the 2-factor authentication applied by Safe4 is based on the use of a 6-digit PIN as well as a username and password. In July 2019 this will be changed, and the PIN will be replaced by a numeric code sent to the user by text message.

We at Safe4 are constantly trying to ensure that the system is as secure as possible, and that our customers’ data is protected to the maximum extent. If you have any questions, or if you would like any information on how Safe4 can assist your organisation to enhance the security of your communications, please contact us.

Invoice fraud still a major threat

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In December 2018 Safe4 published an article highlighting the increasing instance of invoice fraud in the UK. This is not just a UK issue – criminals across Europe are defrauding businesses of huge sums by intercepting emails and changing the bank details on invoices.

Invoice fraud remains a major problem

Further evidence of invoice fraud was published yesterday on the BBC website. Again, the use of email was highlighted as one of the most prevalent means of getting a customer to pay the funds rightfully due to their supplier into a fraudulent bank account. in 2018 3,280 cases were reported, although it is likely that the actual number was higher. In total at least £93 million was stolen through invoice fraud.

There is a solution …

Safe4 provides a secure means of transferring information of any kind between businesses of any size and type. Use of UK-only data centres accredited to ISO 27001, comprehensive audit trails, and industry-leading encryption techniques radically reduce the risk of fraud, and thus the potential for incurring significant financial losses.

Please get in touch with us if you would like to ensure that your business does not suffer from invoice fraud – we will be delighted to assist you.

Document signing in Safe4 is now available – version 6.0 is released

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The need for documents to be signed electronically in accordance with the requirements of HMRC and Companies House in the UK has been highlighted by a number of Safe4 customers. Consequently Safe4 have now added a document signing facility to their highly secure information delivery and storage service, without the need for any external technologies.

How the signing function works

There are a couple of prerequisites for this facility: the document must be held in Safe4 in PDF format, and the required signatories must be users of Safe4 and have access to the folder in which the document is located.

Single or multiple documents can be issued for signature, and if required multiple users can be requested to sign. In the case of multiple documents being selected, there is an option to create a “pack”, so that all of the documents can be signed in a single action. Requested signatories will receive an email with a link to the document/s requiring signature. When this is clicked they will be presented with an option to sign or decline the document, after having entered their Safe4 password and PIN. When all documents have been signed and all users have actioned the signature request, a new version of the PDF file will be created with an added page – this will show a complete list of all of the signatures, together with a verification code, made up of a hash of the user details, the document ID, and the date and time of signature. This functions in a similar way to blockchain, being an immutable record of the signing event.

Other enhancements

In addition to the document signing function, a setting has been added to the provider administration screen, allowing Safe4 Common Folders to be disabled. If selected, this will prevent users uploading files into the Common Folders area of a Safe4 vault in error.

Significant changes have also been made to the Safe4 server architecture, enhancing security and performance, to ensure that the class-leading safety and availability provided by Safe4 is maintained in line with industry best practice.

If you would like any further information on how these enhancements can add value to your business, please contact us at Safe4. We will be delighted to hear from you.

Record of 100% availability of Safe4 continues – but not for all service providers

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Safe4 recorded another month of 100% availability in December 2018, to continue a remarkable record of availability in excess of 99.99% that stretches back to October 2017. In addition to providing the highest standards of security in managing customers’ documents and data, Safe4 also ensures that information is always available when needed.

Not all service providers are able to claim such a record, as published today. As well as utilising UK-only data centres accredited to ISO 27001 and being fully compliant with the Solicitors Regulation Authority guidance for cloud computing, Safe4 has been able to ensure that customers’ business activities are not curtailed or interrupted by the system being unavailable.

For more information on how Safe4 can help your organisation to improve security, reduce costs and enhance client service, please contact us. We will be very pleased to assist you.